Approaches: The project focused on selected knowledge management tools,
approaches, and methods that are relevant and practical to the on-the-ground realities of the
extension staff, development agents and farmers in the districts in which it operates. The
project approach linked knowledge management and capacity development for development
of market oriented agriculture.
Achievements
28 fully equipped knowledge
centers in the regions, zones
and districts were made
functional.
Strengthened and capacitated
40 FTCs.
Produced seven commodity
videos and distributed DVDs
for scaling out best practices.
Developed and partly
institutionalized the Ethiopian
Agriculture Portal
(www.eap.gov.et).
Published 30 working papers
that documented lessons,
studies, and research analysis.
Supported 120 MSc thesis
research work.
Broadcasted participatory
agricultural radio series in local
languages.
Promoted collection and
dissemination of market
information at district level.
Objective: Improving Productivity and Market Success (IPMS) project aimed at
developing Agricultural Knowledge Management systems at different levels in the extension system for improved access to knowledge on technology and institutional innovation.
Fanos Mekonnen, Ermias Sehai and Dirk Hoekstra
2. Knowledge Storing
Lessons There is a need for an overall
understanding of knowledge as a critical ‘input’ to agricultural development. This needs to be internalized among program implementers at all levels.
It is crucial that KM strategies are coupled with capacity development strategies of a program for an efficient and sustainable impact.
Fanos Mekonnen Birke
[email protected] ● Addis Ababa Ethiopia ● www.ipms-ethiopia.org
www.eap.gov.et , www.ilri.org
3. Knowledge Sharing
Farmers’ field days, study tours, exchange visits, seminars, videos radios and exhibitions are held to help advance knowledge sharing on specific topics and to help develop a knowledge sharing culture.
Ethiopian Agriculture Portal (EAP) -
www.eap.gov.et a web-based repository of
agricultural documents and information relevant to
Ethiopia. Offline version of the portal is available
for places with limited internet connection.
Short videos on commodity value chain
development and written documentations were
produced for knowledge storing and sharing.
Knowledge centers were set up and
equipped with computers, TV/DVD
players, books, manuals, periodicals...
1. Knowledge Capturing
Capacity Development
Strengthened capacity of institutions and staff through: Formal and in-service training for experts at extension offices Capacitating Farmer training centers for enhanced knowledge management Supporting MSc and BSc trainings and research initiatives
Developing knowledge management infrastructure in Ministry of
Agriculture
Creating/strengthening linkages with commodity value chain actors
Knowledge Management
Workshops, seminars
Exhibitions and farmer to
farmer exchanges
study tours and on job training
with field visits were organized
September, 2012
Students working
on their thesis
research
